Thursday, July 2, 2009

Dusting off the card catalog...

Today's Thinkbox Thursday question is :  What is your favorite book?

I have to be honest.  I haven't read an actual book in YEARS.  And when I say years, I literally would guess the last full book I read from start to finish was sometime in the mid 1990s.  And I couldn't even tell you what book that might have been.  Between working two jobs, going to college, then working two jobs while IN college, having a baby, having another baby, working two jobs (just kidding, I only work one right now), it's been difficult to find the time to read anything longer than a text message, a Facebook status update, or One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.  So for me to tell you about my favorite book, believe me when I say, we're going WAY back.  

I read a lot of good books growing up (read:  back when I actually had time to).  Some that are forerunners include The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton).  In the Keep of Time (Margaret Jean Anderson), and Johnny Tremaine (by Esther Hoskins Forbes), among others.

However, the book that sticks with me the most...the tale that had a profound affect on me as an adolescent, and the story that I would read again in an instant (if, that is, I had time to actually READ books - see above) is Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.  

It was a timeless story about young love, immortality, and tough choices.  Or at least I think it was, as best as I can remember.  I haven't read the story in decades, but I loved that book.  I loved the story, the characters, the writing, the whole feel.  Just thinking about it gives me a warm, nostalgic feeling.  In fact, it makes me want to go down in my basement and dig out the copy I purchased a few years ago, solely for sentimental value and salvage it from its dark hiding spot buried deep in a box somewhere and actually read the darn thing.  But wait, is that Alex I hear fussing in the next room?  Did Nathaniel just yell "Mommy!"?  Nevermind.  That walk down memory lane will have to wait for another day (or decade).

1 comment:

Tifkota said...

GASP!!! You should not deprive yourself of reading. If it is something that you enjoyed (at one time), you should be doing it. You are actually a better Mama when you indulge in something healthy for yourself. One, doing something for yourself alleviates stress. Two, doing something for yourself shows your family that you have your own identity and interests. And three, reading sets an awesome example for your kids. How can we preach to them to read their stories, or books for school, if we aren't doing any reading ourselves? They'll wonder, "why do I need to do this?" and they might never find the joy of reading a good book. I know, I sound like one of our teachers now. The next time we meet, I shall slap you on the hand for not giving my precious Shana more treats and "me time". xoxo